♣️Within the Forest♣️(Jikook)

♣️Chapter 10 ♣️

As the clock struck 7, heavy yet dominating footsteps dragged themselves inside the quiet mansion. As winters were approaching the days became shorter, and the nights longer. Jeongguk wished to forget all his worries for a moment and just eat and sleep. He wasn't able to do anything productive today because of a certain boy clouding his mind.

"Call everyone to join for dinner" He ordered one of the maid passing by, who obediently bowed her head before replying.

"They're already seated and waiting for your arrival master"

Jeongguk gave her a nod before passing his suitcase to her, as he made his way towards the dining area.

The moment he walked inside the room, that was usually supposed to be filled with small chitter chatter or bickering, was now awfully silent. But what he noticed above all was the familiar figure of the same person who had invaded his mind. Usually a smile would have greeted his face but not today.

Jimin kept his head bowed down, with his bangs shadowing over his eyes, that were swollen and red, looking dull and lifeless as they fixed themselves on the brown sweater he is wearing. To say Jeongguk wasn't disappointed to not be greeted by Jimin's enduring smile and the cute wave he used to do, would have been a lie.

"Oh welcome back, we were just about to start dinner' Jin welcomed him, breaking the awkward silence twirling around them.

The rest hummed in agreement but Jimin still didn't look up. He wasn't being a brat, no. Jimin was actually scared to look up and meet eyes of the person who's upset with him, who he disappointed and feared if Jeongguk would look at him and remember what happened a few hours ago, he might kick him out.

"Today was-" Jeongguk spoke as he looked at the quiet figure besides him, "...very hectic"

"let's just eat and retire back to our rooms" Jin replied back before sitting next to Jimin and gave him his plate.

Jimin nervously glared at the spoon before bringing his shaky hand forward to grasp it between his chubby fingers. He could clearly hear the small ticks of the spoon hitting against the plate as the rest began to eat their meal.

Jimin knew he had to brave up and eat using that spoon to show Jeongguk he would behave, to show him he wouldn't get his hands dirty, to assure him he won't be a trouble for him. But with his trembling fingers the rice kept on slipping from the spoon. Just like before, when he was learning with Hoseok, he tried and tried again, his heart beat had started to increase due to frustration, his hands were trembling more and more now and to top it off tears had already brimmed his swollen eyes.

From the corner of his eyes, Jeongguk was confused to see Jimin trying to use a spoon, especially when he had told the younger that he can eat however he wants to but then why was he putting himself through this torturous way. He could see how Jimin was trembling along with his fingers, he could see small crystal drops damp the blue table cloth and he could clearly notice how the younger was internally battling with himself.

And that's when it struck him...Jimin was behaving this way because of him. How he had pushed Jimin off of him because of his dirty hands, how he had yelled at him and barged off, this was all because of him. Jeongguk couldn't explain or name the emotion building up inside him, but he could feel his heart crush into millions of pieces, making his throat suffocate by the disturbance building up inside him as he looked at the hopeless boy, torture himself to just eat using a spoon just because Jeongguk couldn't control his anger?

He just couldn't watch the younger look so miserable over something this small... he just couldn't. As soon Jeongguk heard a small sob escape Jimins mouth he couldn't control himself. He immediately grabbed his spoon and harshly threw it against the wall. The loud clanking sound echoing in the silent room, leaving everyone shocked. Jimin immediately looked up, making Jeongguk drown in guilt when he saw Jimins face. He couldn't see the optimistic boy.